FMCG Executive Network Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:08 | Winning time: 5m 53.3s

Rocco²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134

13/8

Fell when going well on his chase debut and confirmed the promise shown there with a win at Stratford (2m3½f, soft) last time. Up 6lb for that, but there looked to be more to come. Big player.

Form: 5350-F1

Serosevsky^p,t⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Ross Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 132| DWS

33/1

Triple good ground winner for Harry Fry, whom he left since his last start, changing hands for £10,000. 0-2 over fences for that trainer, and returns from wind surgery here. Was useful over hurdles, so can't rule him out, but soft ground a concern.

Form: 3P1-PP4

Roll Again²⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132

5/1

Won a Down Royal maiden hurdle (2m½f, soft) in March for Willie Mullins. Matched that effort in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle in April. Changed hands in May for £48,000. Makes stable/chase debut here. Market check advised.

Form: 24155-0

Buster Valentine³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 128| D

7/2

Dual novices' hurdle winner on soft ground at up to 2m4½f last season, and was a Grade 2 second in January (albeit beaten 18L). Well held on chase debut at Carlisle (2m) last month, but in good hands and not ruled out back up in trip.

Form: 1112P-7

River Frost⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 120| D

7/1

Former Alan King inmate who was well held in his first three chases for this trainer, prior to a ready win at Ayr (2m4½f, heavy) last time. That was a marked improvement and he again has claims under a 7lb penalty.

Form: F0-6441

New Quay^t²³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

4/1

Won an Irish point on yielding to soft, and his sole rules win came on good at Ascot (2m3½f) over hurdles this time last year. Handicapper has been in control since then and he needs improvement to defy this mark.

Form: 3/16873-

Forecasts

Rocco (13/8), Buster Valentine (7/2), New Quay (4/1), Roll Again (5/1), River Frost (7/1), Serosevsky (33/1)

An interesting contest. Buster Valentine could do much better for the experience of his chase debut and being upped in trip here. He is respected, along with the penalised River Frost, who now needs to back up his Ayr success. Roll Again is worth monitoring in the market on his debut for Venetia Williams, but preference is for ROCCO, who has run well on both chase starts, handles cut and could pull out more now up slightly in trip.